Magnetic building toy



April 21, 1925.

Filed April 30, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1925.

R. PHILIPP MAGNETIC BUILDING TOY Filed April 50, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

' PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD PHILIPP, OF EISENACH, GERMANY.

MAGNETIC BUILDING TOY.

Application filed April 30, 1923. Serial No. 635,709.

To a]? whom it may can earn:

Be it known that I, RKHARD PHILIPP, a citizen of Germany, residing at36, Uferstl'assc. Eisenach (Germany), have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Magnetic Building Toys, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to improvements in toys, and the object of theimprovements is to provide a toy ordinarily in the form of toy buildingblocks or an apparatus for instruction or experiment, which is based onmagnetic attraction acting on certain elements or the like of structuresor other bodies for conne: ting or otherwise affecting the same. Ascompared to similar toys consisting of elements adapted to be composedinto structures of various forms and having no mechanical joints, novelandsurprising results are obtained, the magnetism acting in oppositionto the gravity of the elements and permitting the same to be suspendedwithout making use of mechanical joints or to be placed in positionswith their centers of gravitation laterally of the bases thereof. Iurthermore, in my improved system joints can be made which permit theelements to be set in any angular position without rcquiring lockingmeans. the elements being held in the said positions exclusively bymagnetism.

\Vith these and other objects in view my invention consists in providinga suitable support adapted to exert magnetic forces and cooperating withelements adapted to receive therefrom magnetic forces and to transmitthe same from one to the other.

In order that my invention. be more clearly understood several examplesembodying the same have been shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich the same reference characters have been used in all the views toindicate corresponding parts. In said drawings,

horseshoe magnet used in my a )paratus and more particularly designed oruse in a magnetic-toy in the form of toy building blocks.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a box suitable for receivingbuilding or other -ele'- ments of the toy and connected with thehorseshoe magnet shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a Fig. 3 is an elevation showing amodification of the magnetic base;

Figs. 4 to 6, 9 to 16 and 27 and 28 are elevationsillustrating the useof the apparatus for composing different structures, making experiments,and producing movable figures;

Figs. 7, 8 and 17 to 26 show different elements used in my improvedsystem.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a horseshoe magnet designed for use in myimproved system. As shown the shanks 2 of the magnet the ends of whichare respectively a north pole N and a south pole S are bent out of theplane of the magnet upwardly and rearwardly so as to be spaced from andparallel to the body of the magnet, and the top faces of the said shanksare disposed in a plane providing the support for the structures andother objects, the elements of which are preferably made from iron.

The horseshoe magnet is mounted within a box or casing 3, the upper endsor shanks of the magnet being disposed in cut-out portions of the topwall of the box and the median part being located within the box. Thebox 3 contains a drawer receiving the elements of-the structures and thedrawer is so disposed that with the drawer closed the elements bridgethe poles of the magnet.

I have found that when constructing the magnet in the manner describedwith its pole pieces bent upwardly and rearwardly the magnetism issubstantially uniform and powerful over the whole area of the top facesof the shanks, while in a magnet of ordinar construction the magneticforce is in a hig or degree concentrated on the poles.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modification comprising a plurality of magnets61, and the shanks 62 of the magnets are not parallel to the bodiesthereof but at acute angles thereto. Thereby I am enabled to place aplurality of similar magnets one beside the other in the manner shown inthe drawing and, by grinding the top parts thereof in the'mannerindicated, to provide a broad plane top. face having uniform magneticaction all over the area thereof.

hen composing structures or other figures from the elements care must betaken that always free poles are produced at the ends of the elementswhich are adapted to hold further elements added thereto. Therefore, aslong as building is not completed the magnetic circuit should not beclosed. For example, when placing two rods 5 and 6 on the poles N and Sof the magnet there will be a north pole at the top end of the rodplaced on the north pole of the magnets and a south pole at the top endof the rod placed on the south pole.

Therefore the structure can-be continued on eachof the said poles. Ifhowever the top ends of the rods are connected in the ,manner shown inFig. 4 bya bar 7 permitting the passage of the magnetic flux themagnetic circuit is closed, and it is not possible any more 'to continuethe construction on the elements so far composed and. to hold the sametogether by magnetic force, because there is no free magnetic pole. Ifhowever in the manner shownin Fig. 5 two rods 8 and 9 are placed on thesame pole, for example on the north pole, similar poles are produced atthe top ends of both rods, which poles are north poles in the presentexample. If now a third rod 10 is placed on the said rods 8 and 9 thestructure shows a north pole at its top which is adapted to hold furtherelements by magnetism. Therefore a rod 11 may be placed on the saidstructure, and on the rod 11 a further rod 12, which likewise provides afree pole adapted to have a ball 13. and a thin rod 14 suspendedtherefrom. If in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 having rods 5 and 6placed on both poles it is desired to connect the said rods by atransverse bar and to permit further construction by magnetism, atransverse bar must be used which is not adapted to close the magneticcircuit, in order to provide the free poles required for the furtherconstruction, and said bar must consist at the joint of magnetic metal.Therefore the said transverse bar 15 consists of a body of a suitablenon-magnetic metal such as aluminum and it has shoes of magnetic metalsecured to 1ts ends, as is shown 1n F igs. 6 and 7. As appears moreparticularly from Fig. 7, the nonmagnetic body 15 is formed at both endswith tenons 15 fitting in corresponding sockets or bores of the shoes 15made from iron. I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself tothe construction of the joints between the body 15 and the shoes 15shown herein After thus providing a transverse connection between therods 5 and 6 further rods may be placed on the ends of the rods 15 whichrods are held in position by magnetism. As shown in Fig. 6 two verticalrods 16 and 17 are placed on the said shoes, and on the top ends of therods 16 and 17 wed e shaped pieces 18 -and 19 are placed the beveledfaces of which are directed inwardly and towards each other. Thereaftermagnetizable rods 20 and 21 are placed on the beveled facesperpendicularly thereto. so that the said rods are inclined towards eachother and make contact with each other I at their top ends. Thestructure is completedhy placing a member 22 of cubic form into thecorner provided between the top faces of the memhers 20 and 21. Theparts 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. 21 and 22 all consist of magnetizablcmaterial, so that the whole structure is held together by magnetismemanating from the poles N and S.

In some cases similar poles must be connected by non-magnetizable rods,because actions. An example of an element of this type has been shown inFig. 8 in which the non-magnetic body parts have received the character72, while the magnetic parts have received the characters 71 and 7 3.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated the repelling and attracting actionexerted by free magnetic poles on movable elements which likewiseprovide free magnetic poles. As shown in Fig. 9 two rods 23 and 24 areplaced on the pole N of the magnetic base plate. On the top of the rod23 there is a ball 25 of iron, and the said ball carries an iron needledirected with its free end to wards the rod 24. At the free ends of theneedle and the rod 24 there are similar poles. Therefore the needle isrepelled, and it is directed upwardly and at an angle to the horizontal,as is shown in Fig. 9. If however the rods 23 and 24 are placed on thepoles N and S in the manner shown in Fig. 10, dissimilar poles areprovided at the top end of the rod 24 and the free end of the needle,which poles attract each other so that the point of the nedle isdirected towards the top end of 24.

The same effect is produced in the modification shown in Fig. 11 where arod 2? has been placed on the north pole of the a magnetic base.Laterally of the said rod and at the side of the south pole there is ashort rod 28 which engages the side face of the said rod with one of theedges of its top face. Thereby a north pole is produced at thedownwardly directed free end of the rod 28, which is attracted by thesouth pole of the base. Therefore the rod 28 is set in inclined positionand directed towards the south pole of the base, the angu-- lar positiondepending uponthe gravity of the rod and the magnetic force. If the roil28 is brought out of its position by depressing or lifting the same itreturns into its median position after a few oscillations.

This fact may he used for making movable figures. Fig. 12 shows a figurecomposed of rods and representing an animal the tail 29 corresponding tothe member 28 shown in Fig. 10. Therefore by lifting and releasing therod 28 the animal appears to wag its tail. In a similar way I mayrepresent an animal moving its head or of its body. In some cases Iconstruct the elements for composing representations of animals or othernatural figures in the true forms-of the parts represented thereby. so

that the complete structure is a true representation of the animal orthe figure. The child playing with the toy will be able to find outvarious forms to be represented bv the elements.

In Fig. 13 I have shown an example showing a structure representing ahouse;

Iii)

the elements of the structure being erected on both poles of themagnetic base plate. Fig. 14 shows a structure in which the elements areplaced on the same pole of the magnetic base plate, the centers ofgravitation of the rods being located laterally of the supporting bottomfaces of the ele ments. By reason of the magnetic forces the wholestructure has sufiicient stability. Various structures may be producedby simultaneously using a plurality of magnets or cases having magnetsmounted therein. Thereby I am enabled to erect structures having broadbases.

In Fig. 15 I have shown a structure erected on twomagnetic base platesor casings. Fig. 16 illustrates an interesting experiment. At thebeginning two casings are placed in close relation to each other as isshown in Fig. 15, and on adjacent poles rods ,and 31 respectively areplaced, which are connected by a transverse rod Thereafter the casingshaw. been shifted apart. the rods 30. 31 and 32 sticking to each otherso that their joints are not broken notwithstanding the movement of thebases. One of the rods 30has remained in vertical position, whiletheother one has been setin inclined position by the lateral pullexerted thereon.

It will be understood that the figures described above are intended togive a few examples, and that the elements shown herein or elements of adifferent configuration may be combined into various structures.

In Fig. 17 I have shown a further modification of an elementconsistingof a body another part portions 44. By inserting a rod .length of whichis nearly equal to the total -mechanical connection terial. Fig. 1Bshows a strip 39 of sheet metal representii'ig tiles atits upper face.In a similar way metallic strips representing the side walls of a housemay he provided with doors and windows.

In such cases in which it is desired to erect large structures I preferto construct the body of the elements of light non-magnetic material andto coat the same with magnetic metal at such parts where the action ofmagnetism is desired. Elements of this construction have been shown byway of example in Figs. 19 to 21. As shown in Fig. 19 a core ofaluminium or another light metal or other material is pro vided with 'ajacket 51 of-iron. In the modification shown in Fig. 20 the rod 52 isprovided only at its ends with caps of iron, andin the example shown inFig. 21 a rod 54 of non-magnetic material carries a collar of iron.Furthermore, to reduce the gravity the elements may be in the form ofhollow bodies, as is shown by way of example in Fig. 22 showing a partof a tubular rod. In Fig. 23 I have shown a tubular rod composed of anon-magnetic median body 43' and two para magnetic end 56 the length ofthe magnetic and non-magnetic parts 44 and 43 and the cross-section ofwhich corresponds to the area of the hollow 45 the parts 44 can bemagnetically connec ed if desired. A rod of this construction may undercircumstances be used for humorous experiments, for example by insertingthe same at a part of a structure where. a magnetic connect-ion is notallowed, and after completing the structure passing the iron rod 56 fromone side into the hollow 45 until it makes contact with the opposite endpart 44. in order to cause the structure to break down by closing themagnetic circuit.

In Fig. 24 I have shown a spherical joint to be used in my improvedsystem. As shown the said joint consists of a block 46 in the form of anobtuse pyramid. At its top the said block is formed with a semisphericalsocket 47 adapted to be engaged by a spherical trunnion 48 provided atone end of a rod 49. A

reason of the magnetism as a joint for suspending the element withoutproviding a between the trunnion and the bearing block. By reason of thespherical joint of this type may be used as. a bottom joint or bymagnetic attraction the rod maybe inclined relatively to the blockwithout falling, the rod being held by the frictional engagement of itsspherical trunnion in the block. Therefore the rod 49 may be held in theposition shown in Fig. 25 without being supported at its free end.

In Fig. 26 I have shown a cylindrical joint comprising a bearing block59 having a cylindrical socket and a cylindrical trunnion 58 formed onthe rod 57 It will be understood that elements of any known or preferredconfiguration may be used. For example the rods may have any desiredcross-sections, the elements may be in the form of disks of difierentcircumferences, of balls. polyhedrons etc. or they may be in the form ofnatural objects of any type, and all of the said elements may be madeentirely or in part of iron, as has been described above.

Instead of the permanent magnets referred to above I may useelectro-magnets, if there is a supply of electric energy which permitsof a. more extended use'of the system. For example I may break down thestructures erected by means of magnetism by switching out the electriccurrent. Furthermore more powerful magnetism can be produced by electricenergy, which permits the construction of higher and heavier structures.A

Permanent magnetism and electro-magnetism may be combined in my improvedsystem. More particularly both sources of magnetism may be used inconnection with structures having movable parts, the permanent magnetismbeing used for holding the elements of a structure togethen while morepowerful electro-magnetism is used for changing the position of movableparts, for

which purpose it is brought to action as.

desired.

In this way I am enabled to produce mechanically operated apparatus. Forexample, Fig. 27 shows a catapult. A. rod 64 is supported near its end.on a pillar 63 placed on the north pole N, and it is normally held inhorizontal position by magnetism. The free end of the rod 64 is a northpole. On the same pole there is a supporting member 66 constructed atits top end 66 in the form of a cylindrical bearing for the cylindricalportion 68 of a rocking lever 68 carrying a spoon 68. Preferably thesupporting member 66 and the rocking lever are made from iron. Below thefree end of the rod 6-1 there is one of the poles of the electromagnet65 and preferably the south pole. \Vhen energizing the saidelectro-inagnet the rod 64 is suddenly attracted, which thereforestrikes against the arm 68 of the rocking from. Also the bearing portion68" of the lever 68' is made from iron, while the throwing lever itselfconsists of non-magnetic material. If now a rod 65 magnetically actedupon by the pole S is brought below the free end of the rod 6 L, thesame effect is produced as by switching in the electromagnet shown inFig. 27.

Whilein describing the invention reference has been made to variousexamples embodying the same I wish it to be understood that my inventionis not limited to the constructions shown in the drawings and thatvarious changes may be made in the general arrangement of the apparatusand the construction of its parts without departing from the invention.

I claim 1. A building toy comprising a box, a horseshoe magnet disposedwith its body on the bottom of the box and with its shanks bent upwardlyand rearwardly into the top wall of the box, and a drawer for thereception of building blocks inserted into said box in the space leftbetween the body and the poles of the magnet.

2. For use with a magnetic base a building block of tubular formconsisting of a median part of non-magnetic material and ends of softiron carried by the median part, and a core of soft iron removablyfitting within said tubular, body and adapted to provide a magneticconnection between said iron ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I RICHARD PHILIPP.

G Witnesses:

GUs'rAv ERNST KAISER, FREDERICK GnAsHor.

